So where are the best places to buy your valentine some delicious chocolate that he or she will always remember you for?  Here are three of my favorites….any of the dark chocolate truffles at Xocodiva’s in Old Town.  ”Besos” from Pie in the Sky, also in Old Town, and at their main shop in Bucerias… warm, gooey chocolate muffins with brown liquid centers.  And for you Starbuck lovers, their brownies are excellent, especially with a hot cup of chai or latte.  Valentine’s Day is next Monday…..wrap any of these up and surprise your loved ones.

And if you are thinking of your heart or your waist line about now, walking Vallarta is one of the best ways to help you “digest” those chocolate goodies.  Join one of our easy walking tours to enliven your Valentine’s Day.

Walking is perhaps the best way to learn about Vallarta.  Walking tours are our specialty along with helping folks relocate or retire here.  Our recent visitors from Michigan enjoyed  two of our walking tours.  Read what they have to say:  “PVR is a great city for walking and we have wondered in the past why there were no walking tours. We stumbled onto Learn Vallarta after seeing a notice in the English paper”…  Trip Advisor

Gringo Gulch Cupola

So where is this charming neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta and how did it get its name?  Did you know it’s really on a hill and not in a gulch at all?  Who first lived here and why?  And how are Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and John Huston connected with this area?  Guillermo Wulff, Mexico City engineer who brought the cupola to Vallarta construction, was their friend and instrumental in developing the architectural style of Vallarta.  Who was he and how did he get here?  Step into the past as you learn about this history on our Old Vallarta Architecture and History walking tour.  You will be fascinated with the stories and the beauty of the cobblestone streets and colonial villas, many now turned into boutique hotels like Hacienda San Angel.

Many of you told us you didn’t have time to do all our tours that were included in our earlier package so now we have taken some of the best of our tours and services and created a three-hour walking tour with lunch that will introduce you to the people, shops, products, and services that make Vallarta a delightful place to visit or live. You will visit some typical neighborhoods, meet owners of family-run shops and markets, and have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce, meats, cheeses, Mexican curios and art, and to savor street vendor’s offerings.  Access to our free professional consultations and free area real estate tours are also included.  This is a great way to immerse yourself and see what it’s like to live here.  Only $24.50 per person.  For more information go to our website:  www.learnvallarta.com or call us today.

Our second Malecon sculpture walk on July 6 attracted 11 more visitors and friends.  From the start it was obvious we were going to have a fun time as we all joked and laughed together.  As you can see from the photos, the summer weather still threatened rain, but we finished as the first drops began to fall.  Many were amazed at the wealth of information and personal stories connected with each of these beautiful sculptures.  Next walk is Tuesday, July 13, 6:30 pm.

Local residents helped add a new interest to the Malecon sculpture walk held this past Tuesday.  Did you know the Subtle Stone-Eater sculpture with its black obsidian belly was originally all in pink? This story was shared by one of several locals who, along with many visitors, showed up for this first walk of the summer.  Although the humidity was high and rain threatened, the refreshing breeze off the ocean along with the beginning nightlife set the mood for fun and adventure.

The Learn Vallarta guide presented background on each work including dedication dates, artists’ inspirations and anecdotal stories. Beginning with The Millennium sculpture at the north end of the Malecon, the walk proceeded south ending at the sculpture of Saint Pascual Bailon on the Plaza of Chefs. 

Three other sculptural venues were delightfully observed along the way.   Participants were fascinated by the beach artist who creates “works in progress” with carefully balanced beach rocks.  Then there were the immobilized real life “sandman” and the ever-amazing larger-than-life sand sculptures.

In addition to visiting all thirteen Malecon sculptures, several other outdoor works were described and their locations explained for anyone wishing to continue this artistic adventure on their own.  Some, such as the Shark in Spiral, were not as well-known as the huge Vallarta’s Whale at the entrance of the Marina.

These free walks will continue through the summer from 6:30-8:00 pm Tuesday evenings as a way for Learn Vallarta to introduce themselves to the greater community.  Learn Vallarta delivers personal and helpful assistance to anyone interested in learning more about this charming tropical environment and its friendly people as a place to visit or live.

Learn Vallarta offers many guided two to four hour trips mainly within Old Vallarta and surrounding colonias.  These adventures aim to introduce Mexican culture and peoples of this charming town.  Whether walking, riding horseback, or boating, we have experienced guides who will explain the history, architecture, ecology and daily activities of the area explored. Experience Old World towns and beach side villages. Enjoy any or all of the following Day Trips, Tours, and Excursions